Reducing transportation cost: PAJCCI lauds support of Pak, Afghan govts

KARACHI: Pakistan Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI) chairman Zubair Motiwala has appreciated the support of both governments in making the free movement possible, efforts in reducing transportation cost by allowing empty containers to carry transit goods, affordable fees for Temporary Admission Document (TAD)and easy process for acquiring visa and TAD.

He said initial problems will be resolved by both sides with mutual consultation and the scope of this arrangement will be extended to the CARs.

In coordination with PAJCCI and Ministry of Commerce, a meeting was held with Director Transit Trade Karachi to discuss the process and requirements of free movement of trucks in Pakistan and Afghanistan for smooth activity of bilateral and Transit Trade.

The meeting was attended by PAJCCI members, government functionaries from sides, transporters and bonded carriers.

Habib Ahmad, Director Transit Trade, Karachi provided detailed mechanism of the process whereby bonded and non-bonded transport operators will be able to acquire TAD and Visa for drivers and helpers.

He outlined the requirements approved by sides, documentation, validity and regulations applicable.

He said that Pakistani bonded operators can transport bilateral and transit goods but non-bonded are only allowed carrying bilateral goods.

Transport operators of Afghan side will operate under TAD cover and will be able to transport transit goods and Pakistani exports to Afghanistan. This is to ensure the structured approach to trading activity.

Maria Kazi, Joint Secretary Ministry of Commerce informed that this arrangement will curtail the return of empty containers as operators with valid TAD will be able to bring and take back transit and bilateral goods without additional costs.

She explained that routes under APTTA-2010 will remain valid for vehicle movement for both bilateral and transit trade. The fee for TAD issuance is only USD 100 with validity of 6 months and multiple entries instead of previous requirement of high insurance guarantee.

Driver and helpers visa will be valid for one year and they will be allowed to operate multiple vehicles of the same transporters in the duration. In case driver or helper changes the company, they will be required to apply for fresh visa. In addition, Government of Pakistan, for 6 months has waived vehicle fitness certificate for Afghan vehicles as a special facilitation measure.

Afghan transporters can obtain Temporary Admission Document (TAD) from the Pakistan embassy in Kabul and its consulate in Kandahar, while transporters in Pakistan can obtain the same from Afghan consulates in Peshawar and Quetta.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2022